a story worth telling is a life worth living

bears, beets, battlestar galactica

I was sitting on my friend’s couch talking about our daily adventures here in dear old Columbia, Mo. when somehow our conversation turned to animal attacks, which turned to bear attacks. I love camping. It’s a favorite weekend get away in my family but I’ve always been a little spooked at the thought of waking up with a bear head inches away from my nose or of finding a wolf waiting for me near the bathrooms. Of course I’ve yet to have a run-in with any such wild beast, but aren’t most fears irrational?

Well anyways, this friend of mine made it clear that my fear was unfounded. I think he was probably trying to make me feel better but I’m not sure it worked. Most animal attacks are pretty rare. I’d venture to say that more people die in car crashes than are eaten by sharks, mauled by bears or attacked by lions. I might even guess that each year, neighborhood dogs attack more people than bears.

According to Grizzly Bay, each year,

1 are killed by bears

45 people are killed by dogs

17 killed by spiders

13 killed by snakes,

374 killed by lightning and 60000 killed by humans…. (that should tell you something)

So maybe my fear is irrational. The data would suggest that it’s more likely for me to die in a car crash on the way to the campground than for me to be eaten by a bear after I set up my tent. I should probably feel better, but I don’t.

The recent bear attack in Yellow Stone National Park, re-spooked mybearphobia. Reading about such an enormous quadruped rampaging through a quiet campsite, killing one person and injuring two others quieted my desire to go camping.

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What sets stories apart is the people who drive them, the people who live them. Interesting is everywhere, and this is a venture to find it.

#Life is a story blog about a cast of characters trying to figure out what the hell to do with their lives. They will share the stories they are a part of as they try to find purpose and direction, and hopefully enough of a paycheck to leave money in the budget for beer. This is a story driven by curiosity, uncertainty and passion for life.